With learners and motorways in the news recently we thought it was worth writing a piece on driving on them for the first time…
If you’re about to drive on the motorway for the first time, you might be feeling a little daunted. But contrary to many people’s beliefs, motorways are actually the safest roads to drive on. It’s the speed you’re travelling at which can make all the difference between safe and unsafe motorway driving.
Motorway driving tips for new drivers
* You might want to consider Pass Plus training to help you learn how to drive on the motorway with guidance from one of instructors.
* Familiarise yourself with the Motorway section of the Highway Code so you feel comfortable with the rules, speed limits and layout of the motorway
* Plan your journey before setting off — make a mental note of the junction numbers where you will be joining and leaving the motorway; it’s not safe to use a map while driving and don’t rely on satellite navigation
* Ensure your car is safe to drive – check your oil levels, brake and windscreen wash fluid and your tyre pressures
* Consider bringing along a more experienced driver such as a friend, parent or other relative for reassurance
Joining and leaving the motorway
Before you join a motorway, build up speed on the slip road. Then ensure you do a full observation, not forgetting the blind spot, and join the motorway when you know it’s safe to do so.
When you leave a motorway, the countdown markers which appear before a motorway exit will tell you how far away the exit is, with each bar representing 100 yards. Use these to guide you as you prepare to cross over to the slip road.
For further helpful advice read Directgov’s handy guide to motorway signs, signals and road markings.
Overtaking
You should only overtake if you’re sure it’s safe to do so. It’s crucial to judge the speed of the cars around you carefully and to check that the lane you’ll be moving into is clear in front and behind you. Car door mirrors are usually convex which distorts the image and makes vehicles look further away than they actually are.
Did you know…
If you hog lanes or tailgate on the motorway you could be faced with an on-the-spot-fine of £100 and 3 points on your licence, thanks to new legislation introduced in August 2013. Read more on these regs here. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-penalties-to-tackle-tailgating-and-middle-lane-hogging
What to avoid
* In order to ensure safe driving, keep in-car distractions such as phones, other electronic devices, food and drink out of sight
* Do not slow down to stare at accidents on the other side of the motorway, this causes congestion and accidents in the other direction.
Remember
* The speed limit for cars on the motorway is 70mph but motorway speed limits can change several times on one stretch of road, particularly in the event of roadworks or an accident. So be observant and look out for signs indicating speed limit changes and warning signs — used in the event of adverse weather, congestion or accidents
* Watch out for variable speed limits on ‘smart’ motorways like the M25 or M42. These are a new measure by the Highways Agency to help ease traffic flow at busy times.
* Your speed on a motorway is faster than other roads, so your stopping distance will be longer. Keep a safe distance between you and the car in front, and remember to increase the gap if it’s wet, icy or foggy. The saying goes “only a fool breaks the 2 second rule”
* If you start to feel tired, take a break. Only begin again when you know you’re safe to drive. Try drinking coffee, having some fresh air and a quick power nap.
We hope these points will make you a bit more confident when you have to drive on the motorway for the first time but don’t worry, in 2018 learners will be allowed on the motorway so we’ll be with you every step of the way.
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